Pneumatic action accessory holder specifically for sewing machines

Abstract

An accessory pneumatically operated holding device is disclosed, specifically for industrial sewing machines which device comprises a profiled blade accessory holding element which can be moved by a pneumatic piston along a backward and forward travel with extreme and adjustable precision. The above device can be readily removed from the working plane of the sewing machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pneumatic action accessory holding device comprising first and second base plates, each base plate defining an elongated slot; a blade defining an accessory holder profiled plate positioned between said first and second plates and movable parallel to said slots; a distributor; means to mount said distributor on said first and second plates in different positions; a pneumatic cylinder mounted on said distributor to which fluid is fed from said distributor; a piston rod mounted within said pneumatic cylinder and having an end extending therefrom; a leg having an end connected to said extended end of said piston rod and said blade; means for limiting the movement of the blade mounted on said first and second plates; and seats on said first and second plates for fixing said device to a sewing machine. 
     
     
       2. The pneumatic action accessory holding device according to claim 1 including a third base plate, said third base plate being removably attached to said first and second base plates to determine the length of the device. 
     
     
       3. The pneumatic action accessory holding device according to claim 2 wherein said means to mount said distributor are disposed on said first, second and third base plates. 
     
     
       4. The pneumatic action accessory holding device according to claim 1 wherein said leg defines a series of holes therealong and a threaded hole in the end of said leg, said piston rod having a threaded end, said threaded end being screwed into the threaded hole in the end of said leg and including a locking ring mounted on said piston rod and a pin for mounting in one of said series of holes in said leg to allow position changes of the distributor with respect to the first and second base plates. 
     
     
       5. The pneumatic action accessory holding device according to claim 1 wherein said distributor defines three independent distributing channels, two of which govern the forward and backward travel of the piston rod, the third channel controlling the fluid in the two channels. 
     
     
       6. The penumatic action accessory holding device according to claim 1 wherein said means to mount said distributor are positioned relative to each other to permit the device to be set in such configuration that said device can operate in specular symmetry parallel to the needle. 
     
     
       7. The pneumatic action accessory holder according to claim 1, including means to anchor the device to a work table comprising a first pin acting as a hinge axis about which the device can pivot, a second pin having a circumferential groove and a pivotal hook which engages and releases from the groove of said second pin to permit device rotation with respect to the working position. 
     
     
       8. The pneumatic action accessory holder according to claim 1 including at least two means to feed fluid to said distributor and at least two means to control flow of fluid which also support the pneumatic cylinder on said distributor. 
     
     
       9. The pneumatic action accessory holding device of claim 1 including height adjusting feet for said first and second plates to change the position of the device with respect to the working plane and blades for insertion between said first and second plates. 
     
     
       10. The pneumatic action accessory holding device of claim 1 wherein said first and second plates define complementary knurled slots and the means for limiting the movement of the blade comprises a block fitting within said knurled slots and means to prevent said block from being slidable along said knurled slots.